11+ Essex
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BOFA11plus.com has independently compiled this page for you, using information gathered from the Local Authority and respective schools. We try to keep it as accurate as possible and welcome any feedback if you spot any errors.
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Information on the 11plus Tests (11+ Exams)
The 11+ exams in Essex is operated for the Grammar Schools, by a consortium, the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex - CSSE. The LEA appears to have no involvement in the testing procedures. Grammar schools in the Essex Council area cater for children who are deemed by means of the 11 plus exam to be in the top 25% of the ability range. About 1000 grammar school places available to the approximate 4000 that sit the tests.
When applying, you must put your preferred schools on the application form in the order that you want them, and this should include grammar schools if you wish your child to take the 11+ selection test. It is not sufficient just to complete the CSSE's SIF, which must be returned by 30 October 2010 (tbc). You will need to consider the order of schools carefully. School Admissions and Transport will offer places according to the highest of your preferences that can be met. Entry to all four grammar schools in Essex is based on the results of the 11+ selection test. If your child's selection test score is high enough for them to be offered a grammar school place but you have expressed a higher preference for another school that can be met, your single offer of a place will be at your higher preference school, not the grammar school.
For entry to secondary school or grammar school in September of the following school year children will usually sit their 11 plus exam in the autumn term of their last primary school year- often in November.
Children may take the following eleven plus tests:
- Verbal reasoning test (Lasting about 45 minutes)
- Mathematics test (Lasting about 35 minutes and set at levels 4 and 5 of the National Curriculum.)
- English test (Lasting about 40 minutes.)
You can use BOFA 11+ to help prepare for the exam:
FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo
The Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex www.csse.org.uk will provide you with a wealth of knowledge.
How do I Apply for a Place at a Consortium School?
To apply for a place at a Consortium School for your child you must name the school as one of your preferences on the Local Authority Common Application Form and register your child to sit the 11+ tests by completing the Consortium's Supplementary Information Form.
Naming your Selective School Preferences on the Common Application Form.
The Local Authority Common Application Form and Guidance Notes will be distributed to all parents of Year 6 children via their children's primary schools in early September 2010. All Consortium Schools that you wish to apply for must be named as preferences on this form. This form must be returned to your Home Local Authority; the addresses of Essex and Southend Local Authorities are listed on page 3.
If you do not receive your Local Authority Secondary Admissions Booklet by 19th September 2010(tbc) then you should contact your child's primary school or your Local Authority.
Registering Your Child to Sit the 11+ Tests.
Parents can complete the registration form online or on paper. Online registration is provided via the website csse.org.uk from September 2010. Alternatively, please complete the form on pages 11 and 12 of the booklet and return it to the Consortium Office below.
| School Admissions and Transport Schools | Schools Admissions Service |
| Children and Families Directorate | Southend on Sea Borough Council |
| Essex County Council | Department of Children and Learning |
| P.O. Box 4261 | 5th Floor, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue |
| Chelmsford CM1 1GS | Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS2 6ER |
| Tel: 0845 6032200 | Tel: 01702 215914 |
There will be an English test of 40 minutes, a Mathematics test of 35 minutes followed by a 20 minute break and then a multiple choice Verbal Reasoning test lasting 50 minutes. It may also be helpful to know that the final scores for individual papers, after mathematical standardisation, are themselves "weighted", Verbal Reasoning being worth 50% of the total marks, English and Maths 25% each.
The deadline to register your supplementary information form online OR by post is 30 October 2010 (tbc).
The test registration of a child only has validity in conjunction with a Common Application Form that names at least one Consortium School as a preference for that child. Parents who change their minds or who, for any other reason, submit a test registration form without naming a Consortium School on their Common Application Form, should inform the Consortium Office as soon as possible so that their child's test registration can be cancelled.
CHELMSFORD SCHOOLS
- Chelmsford County High School for Girls – Girls Grammar (Foundation School)
- King Edward VI Grammar School – Boys Grammar (Foundation School)
COLCHESTER SCHOOLS
- Colchester Royal Grammar School – Boys Grammar (Foundation School)
- Colchester County High School for Girls – Girls Grammar (Foundation School)
SOUTHEND AREA SCHOOLS
- Cecil Jones College – Mixed Comprehensive (Foundation School)
- Shoeburyness High School – Mixed Comprehensive (Community School)
- Southend High School for Boys – Boys Grammar (Foundation School)
- Southend High School for Girls – Girls Grammar (Foundation School)
- St. Bernard’s High School and Arts College – (Girls R.C. Bi-Lateral Voluntary Aided)
- St. Thomas More High School for Boys – (Boys R.C. Bi-Lateral Voluntary Aided)
- Westcliff High School for Boys – Boys Grammar (Foundation School)
- Westcliff High School for Girls – Girls Grammar (Foundation School)
11+ Exam day of entry in September 2011 is 20th November 2009
Dates for your diary
26/10/10 (tbc) – Deadline for sending Essex Local Authority Application Form
30/10/10 (tbc) – Deadline for receipt of CSSE SIF
30/10/10 (tbc) – Deadline for sending Southend Local Authority Application Form
(Please check your Home Local Authority’s deadline if you do not live in Essex or Southend)
11/11/10 (tbc) – Test centre information is posted to parents by first class post.
01/03/10 (tbc) – CSSE results despatched to parents
01/03/10 (tbc) – National Offer Day Local authorities send out secondary school offers to parents.
Essex LA
Any questions about grammar schools in this area should be directed to the consortium and not the Local Authority.
Any parent /carer wishing for advice about mainstream schools in Essex that is not related to grammar schools should contact:
Essex Grammar Schools
- Chelmsford County High School for Girls
- Colchester County High School for Girls
- Colchester Royal Grammar School
- King Edward VI Grammar School
Southend Borough Council
Southend Borough Council
Miss Lorraine O'Reilly
Director of Education and Lifelong Learning, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, PO Box 6, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on Sea SS2 6ER
Telephone: 01702 215000
Fax: 01702 215000
Email: jillhowlett@southend.gov.uk
Website: www.southend.gov.uk
Southend Grammar Schools
- Southend High School for Boys
- Southend High School for Girls
- Westcliff High School for Boys
- Westcliff High School for Girls
